Four-Run Eighth Propels Fireflies to Victory

CHARLESTON, SC – The Fireflies offense rallied behind the bat of Erick Pena, who started the scoring in a four-run eighth that propelled Columbia to a 7-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park Thursday night.

Blake Mitchell was the first to reach base in the eighth, drawing a walk off reliever Samuel Mejia (L, 0-1). Next, Austin Charles reached on a two out walk and both runners were able to advance to set the table for Erick Pena. Columbia’s right fielder slapped a single down the right field line to plate the former two and get Columbia back in front 4-2. After a pitching change, Chris Brito drew a walk and then Lizandro Rodriguez smashed a double to left to score Pena and Brito, pushing Columbia’s lead to 6-2.

Charles singled in the ninth to score Mitchell and stretch his hitting streak to a team-best eight games this season. Over his hitting streak, Charles is 12-28 (.429) with 11 RBI since April 10.

The bullpen locked things down for Columbia. Jacob Widener (W, 1-0) was the first arm out of the pen, and completed the sixth and spun the seventh without allowing a run before getting the ball to Chase Isbell. The righty worked the eighth and the ninth to keep the RiverDogs at bay and get the Fireflies first win of the series.

The Fireflies reversed course in the top of the fourth inning. Daniel Vazquez led the frame off with a base knock to right, which is where he stayed until there were two outs. Then Erick Pena clobbered his second homer of the season to put the Fireflies in front 2-1. The two runs the Fireflies scored were the first two runs scored against RiverDogs starter Santiago Suarez in 13.2 innings in the Carolina League in 2024.

Charleston started the scoring. Ricardo Gonzalez laced a double down the right field line with one out to set the table. Then Christopher Barete poked a hole up the middle, allowing Gonzalez to come around to break the scoreless tie.

They tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Emmanuel Reyes left the game with a pair of outs and two base runners as he walked the last two batters he faced. Angel Mateo dribbled a ball to second and hustled out an infield single that allowed Raudelis Martinez to come around and tie the game 2-2. Reyes finished the evening with 5.2 innings of work. He allowed a pair of runs off two hits and two walks and punched out a season-best eight batters.

Columbia continues their series with the Charleston RiverDogs tomorrow evening at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park at 7:05 pm. The Fireflies trot RHP Felix Arronde (1-0, 1.00 ERA) to the hill and Charleston counters with RHP T.J. Nichols (0-1, 9.82 ERA).

The Fireflies return home April 23 for a six-game set with the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park. Friday, April 26 will be the inaugural Carolina Grits game at Segra Park. We’re celebrating with a Grits bobble spoon giveaway. Get your tickets at ColumbiaFireflies.com.